Perhaps you have noticed that the name Holly Woods has been popping up here and there, leaving many wondering who she is and why she is commenting on township issues. Let me introduce you to Holly Woods, Brimfield’s full-time Administrative Business Manager since July 2023.
She worked as a part-time consultant for the township in 2022, but since Brimfield has experienced tremendous growth, a full-time position was necessary. When asked what exactly she does for the township, she replied, “A little bit of everything. I am a change agent, driver of consistency and process improvements, wearer of many hats, juggler of many tasks, coordinator of chaos, and overall dedicated human resource professional.”
Except for the “HR professional,” it sounds like what I do as a mother. As the overall HR professional, she interfaces and works with every department of the township. Holly directly supervises the Parks & Recreation team, the IT director, fiscal assistant, and zoning and economic development team. She reports directly to the Board of Trustees.
Holly’s most recent projects include the overall project management for the completion of the Brimfield Branch Library building and the fire station/townhall construction project. She is also responsible for the day-to-day HR related activities, such as rewriting job descriptions, audits, process improvements, obtaining grants and more. Other projects include development of internal policies and procedures, township-wide training, working with Zoning & Economic Development on the Town Center project, and the continuous evolution of our Parks & Rec programs. With a goal of educating residents, as an official voice for Brimfield, Holly is working with staff to increase its social media presence, including spotlighting local businesses and township parks, explaining township business (re: who services roads? Township? County? State?), zoning issues, and general township information.
She has an open-door policy and welcomes visits, emails at [email protected], and phone calls.
In Holly’s personal life, she has been happily married for 24 years and has two beautiful children and two crazy dogs. She knows the value of being a public servant and serving for the purpose of the common good. It has been my experience that Holly thoroughly researches and verifies facts before she speaks and acts in the best interest of Brimfield residents. And that, my friends, is what you should know about Holly Woods!
A big shout out to the Brimfield Police Department for being responsive to calls. As I was standing with two of our grandsons waiting to board their school bus a couple weeks ago, a car sped past, totally ignoring the bus’s flashing lights and extended stop sign. This was not the first time this year that I witnessed this same kind of incident. I sent Chief Roy Mosley an email expressing frustration and asking what could be done. Officers interviewed the bus driver (who, by the way, deserves a shout-out for his diligence in keeping children safe) and reviewed the bus camera, which clearly captured the vehicle and a license plate. I was assured that there would be follow-up. Since then, I am often seeing a police officer following the bus.
A week or so later, a friend was visiting and accidentally got locked out of the car. I thought it was a long shot, but I called the Brimfield Police anyway and was pleasantly surprised that they will respond to lock outs. A very polite and kind officer showed up and saved the day. Many thanks to the Brimfield Police.
Brimfield Elementary School
Last month I mentioned that the Brimfield Elementary PTA earns money for each pound of clothing, shoes, and textiles collected in the green Clothes Bin, which is near the parking lot on the south side of the school. Items include all clothing (including undergarments), footwear, accessories (belts, ties, scarves, hats), handbags (wallets, totes, backpacks, luggage, briefcases), and linens (towels, sheets, blankets, tablecloths). Worn out items are fine, as they will recycle them into items such as rags and playground mulch. Please bag all donations.
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 – Students turning five on or before August 1st, 2024, and attending Brimfield Elementary, can register by appointment only every Tuesday and Thursday until May 16 from 9:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at Brimfield Elementary School, 4170 St. Rt. 43. For an appointment, call 330-678-8581.
German Family Society
May 18, 5:30 p.m. – The Akron German Family Society, 3871 Ranfield Rd., Brimfield is hosting a lively Maifest (May festival) to welcome spring. There will be live music, an open dance floor, and a buffet dinner. The traditional May pole dance with colorful ribbons will be performed by the Junior Jugendgruppe, a German children’s dance group. Cost is $22 for guests and non-members, $19 for passive members, $17 for active members, and $6 for children under the age of 12. Reservations must be made by May 13. Call or text Diane at 330-309-9486 or email her at [email protected].
Brimfield Lions Club / Brimfield Township
Memorial Day is May 27, not to be confused with Veterans Day. It is a day of “national mourning”, not a celebration, but a day of solemn contemplation of the cost of freedom. It is a day to honor military personnel who died in service of their country.
Some things you SHOULD NOT do on Memorial Day:
- Do not wish anyone a “Happy Memorial Day”.
- Do not thank current service members. …
- Do not forget about the purpose of the holiday. …
- Do not disregard its importance.
- Do not forget it exists.
- Do not let politics keep you from rendering respect.
Some things you SHOULD DO on Memorial Day:
- Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
- Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
- Attend memorial services and teach children the importance of respecting those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Local Memorial Day Service
May 27, 8 a.m. – Brimfield Township Memorial Day Service at Restland Cemetery
May 27, 8-11 a.m. – Brimfield Lions Club Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast at Faith Methodist Church, 1235 Tallmadge Rd. (adjacent to the cemetery)
Young at Heart Group.
May 6, 10 a.m. — Breakfast at Mike’s Place Restaurant.
May 10, noon — Monthly bag lunch at the Brimfield Community Center, 4538 Edson Rd. Bring lunch, a drink, and a friend. RSVP Patty Yensel at 937-654-8333
May 20, 10 a.m. — Breakfast at Mike’s Place Restaurant
July 21, 1:40 p.m. – Bus Trip to Cleveland Guardians vs. San Diego Padres Game. Includes bus trip, club seats with all you can eat popcorn, peanuts, ice cream, drinks. Cost and more information to follow. Contact Annette Heiser at 330-678-5257.
For those wishing to attend the breakfasts at Mike’s Place, RSVP DonnaRae Flanary at 330-592-4318 (call or text) by the Sunday before.
Brimfield Branch Library
- May 3, 10:30-11:00 a.m. – Storytime – Children 5 and under
- May 6, 3-4 p.m. – Aurebesh ABC’s – Learn the Star Wars alphabet of Aurebesh. Intended for children in grades 3-6. Limited to 15 participants. Registered event.
- May 7, 3:30-5 p.m. — Chess Club — Learn to play chess (All ages & skill levels) Registered event.
- May 8, 1-2 p.m. — Afternoon Book Club – Adults –Copies of book available at circulation desk
- May 11, 10:30-11 a.m. — Storytime — Children 5 and under
- May 13 thru May 17, All Day – Make a Paper Bouquet – Make a flower out of old book pages. Intended for grades 7-12. While supplies last.
- May 14, 5:30-7 p.m. — Book Club — Adults – Copies of “Dead Wake” by Erik Larson available at circulation desk
- May 21, 3:30-5 p.m. — Game Club — All Ages
- May 28, 1:30-4 p.m. — History and Games — Learn about history, then play a game about it. What life was like in the Colonies and why they revolted, demanding a new government. Tweens, Teens, Adults
- May 31, 10:30-11 a.m. – Storytime – Children 5 and under
Brimfield Parks and Recreation
• May 7, 3 p.m. – Wildflower Hike at Cranberry Creek Park – Appropriate for all ages.
• May 9, 1-3 p.m. – Timeless Memories Scrapbooking at the Brimfield Branch Library Cost $10, all skill levels welcome.
• May 11- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Sue Fields’ Spring Clean-up Event at Lions Community Park – Brimfield residents can bring unwanted scrap metal, e-waste, and large items for disposal. Some electronic items carry a small fee. Visit www.brimfieldohio.gov for more information.
• May 20, 4 p.m. – The Bees of Brimfield at Cranberry Creek Park—Search for and identify bee species and learn the importance of protecting pollinators and their habitats.
• May 23, 3-4:30p.m.– Nature’s Needlework Adventures at Brimfield Branch Library —Learn the basics of cross-stitching making a cross-stitched turtle. Registration required at www.brimfieldohio.gov through May 17
May 28, 10–11:30 a.m. – Animal Moms for Kids at Brimfield Branch Library —Learn about the remarkable journeys of animal moms! Recommended for ages 4-8. Must be accompanied by an adult.
May 28, 2–3:30 p.m. – Animal Moms for Tots at the Brimfield Branch Library —Learn about the remarkable journeys of animal moms! Recommended for ages 1-3. Must be accompanied by an adult.
List of Brimfield Parks and facility amenities: https://brimfieldohio.gov/Facilities?clear=False
Brimfield Historical Society
Coming soon! Mark your calendar for June 29 and 30 when BHS is hosting a Civil War Living History Encampment on the grounds of the Kelso house. Look for more details in my June column.
Brimfield Township Trustee Meetings
- May 1, 8 a.m.
- May 14, 6 p.m.
Meetings are held at the Brimfield Township Community Center at 4538 Edson Road, Brimfield
Around Brimfield and Beyond
May 19, 1-4 p.m. – Family Fun Day at Trail Lake Park, 605 Ravenna Rd, Streetsboro. Co-sponsored by Leadership Portage County and Portage Park District, this free event includes guided hikes, fishing, activity tables, Wick Poetry experience, and light food options. Free event for all, but because of limited parking, registration is required by car. Register at leadershipportagecounty.org.
June 1, 7 p.m. – Opening of “Who Was Edwin George Cherokee?” Art Exhibition at the Standing Rock Cultural Arts Gallery, 300 N. Water St., Ste. H. in downtown Kent. For those who are not familiar with Edwin George, he was a prolific self-taught artist, full-blooded Cherokee Indian. He moved to Kent many years ago when he married my mother-in-law, Ellene McKay George. Our children affectionately called him “Grandpa Indian”. Sadly, Edwin died a couple years ago. The mural on the side of Scribble’s Coffee Shop is his creation. The art exhibit will go through June 29.
Final thoughts
Reading Tom Hardy’s sports column in the Friday, April 26 Portager, brought back a flood of fond memories. It also brought tears to my eyes when he mentioned our daughter, Emily, and her stellar cross-country success at Field, but what touched me even more deeply was his concluding statement: “More than her athletic talent, though, what sticks out most in my mind is Emily’s engaging, magnetic personality: upbeat, always smiling and laughing, truly enjoying her time as a high school student-athlete. And that, after all, is what it’s all about.” That observation brought to my mind an incident when Emily’s younger brother, Chris, ran track. He was one of the slowest on the team, sometimes even coming in last. One day, someone mentioned Emily’s success to him and asked him why he bothered to run. He laughed, and replied, “Someone has to come in last!” Regardless of where we are in the race of life, it’s all about finding joy in the journey. “And that, after all, is what it’s all about.”
Until next time. Got news? Share it by contacting Shirley Mars at 330-673-0241 or at [email protected]
